The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, has accused the Edo State Police Command of abandoning the rescue of the abducted Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli to his family members.
Dunia state this while officially announcing the rescue of Fr. Ekweli in a statement by the Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, dated March 14, 2025.
247nextnews.com reports that Ekweli and Seminarian Andrew were kidnapped on Monday, March 3, 2025, at about 9.30 pm from the priests’ rectory of St. Peter Catholic Church Iviukhua-Agenebode, Etsako East LGA of Edo State, when gunmen attacked both the rectory and church, destroyed doors and windows and led them into the surrounding forests.
He, however, regained freedom from his abductors after 10 days in captivity, at about 4 pm on Thursday, March 13, 2025, while the 21-year-old major Seminarian, Andrew Peter, was gruesomely murdered by their abductors.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Dunia who thanked Edo State Government for its effort in the rescue operation, berated the police for leaving “the entire rescue efforts solely in the hands of family.”
“The chief shepherd is grateful to the Edo State Government for their sincere efforts in seeing the victims rescued, but expresses dissatisfaction with the response of the police in particular in the rescue efforts, urging them to put in place better measures to rescue kidnapped victims rather than leave the entire rescue efforts solely in the hands of family, friends and acquaintances of kidnapped victims,” the statement said.
The Catholic Bishop however called on security agencies and Governments at all levels to “stop the deteriorating security situation in Edo North in particular and other parts of the State.
He described the Edo North axis as a safe haven for kidnappers who operate at will while the people feel helpless and abandoned.”l
He further urged the Government to take proactive steps to deplore the necessary resources to Edo North to secure lives and property of the people.
“Life has been hell for our people in recent times. People are not safe on the roads, in their farms and even in their homes. This is unacceptable when there are elected officials whose duty it is to protect the people.
“In the last ten years, Auchi Diocese has had six of her priests kidnapped, tortured and released, three attacked but escaped, and one (Fr Christopher Odia) brutally murdered and now seminarian Andrew Peter also murdered.
May the souls of Seminarian Andrew Peter, Fr Christopher Odia and all those killed by kidnappers in Nigeria through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen,” he said
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Auchi has expresses sincere condolences to the family members of the murdered Seminarian, Andrew Peter.
The Diocese in its statement, prayed God to grant them consolation and strength in this difficult time.
It also expressed gratitude to all for the prayers and moral support received while Fr Ekweli and the Seminarian were held in captivity.
